Sunday Morning Sermon Notes

Straight Talk - How We Can Be A Better witness For our Lord Jesus Christ.

You Shall Know The Truth, And The Truth Shall Set You Free! - “God’s Divine Design, Or Man’s Redesign Of Heterosexual Marriage, Sexual Orientation, And Sexual Identity.”

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12-30-2018 Part 2

And let us return back to our once a month topical series called, “What We Believe And Why?”

Each month as the LORD leads, and usually on the 4th. Or, if there is a 5th Sunday in a given month.

We are considering what the Bible says and teaches Us about, *The Fundamentals, *The Basics, *The Core Truths For being a committed follower of Jesus Christ, or you would Like to be one day.

So, this morning let's continue to understand what the Bible says and teaches about *How We Can Be A Better witness For our Lord Jesus Christ. And How We Can Be A More Effective Witness For Jehovah Or Yahweh Almighty?

Now, see Acts 1: 8, Jesus is speaking, but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto or for Me, in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

See the word ‘witnesses’. Remember, a basic English definition for the word ‘witness’ is someone who can attest to certain facts based on what they saw. Or, what they heard. Or, what they know, when concerning a matter.

But interestingly, in vs. 8, in the Greek Language of the New Testament times, the word ‘witness’ also carries another meaning that is quite surprising!

A witness can mean one who is spiritually single-minded, or uncompromising. Also, in a non-violent way, they are willing to give up everything, even their own life for what they believe, and in whom they believe, a martyr.

Notice Strong's definition of the Greek word, μάρτυς or mártys, which is a witness.

In a legal sense, an historical sense one who is a spectator of anything, e.g. of a contest.

Or, in an ethical sense those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death (a martyr).

Now, see Daniel. Vs. 15. King Nebuchadnezzar is speaking. Now, if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, then good!

But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the God who will deliver you from my hands?

Vs. 16. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king. O Nebuchadnezzar we have no need to answer you in a compromising matter, for our minds are made up! Vs. 17. And if this is the case, then our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. Vs. 18. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor, will we worship the gold image which you have set up.

Now notice again Acts 1: 8, Jesus is speaking, but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Stop there)!

Listen this word ‘power’ in vs. 8 can mean, •An innate power that is supernatural and not natural, nor human, nor does it come from one’s own self! •An inward ability or enablement that is supernatural, and that was given, and not earned, learned, nor deserved.

Notice a Strong's definition of the Greek Word, δύναμις Dýnamis, from G1410. Either (literally or figuratively); a supernatural or miraculous power at work.

Also, Dýnamis from Dýnamai, means, able, having ability to perform. For the Believer, power to achieve by applying the Lord's inherent abilities given unto whoever he chooses! For this power through God’s ability is also needed in every scene of life to really grow in sanctification and preparation for glorification). Dýnamis is a very important term, used 120 times in the New Testament.

Again, Acts 1: 8. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon or into you, (Stop there)!

Actually, the Holy Spirit, God the Holy Spirit, He Himself is the ‘Power’!

And therefore, this power that we are talking about, is not some kind of spiritual force that God uses as well, to get things done! But in reality, the Holy Spirit Himself is the power in whom we are to be dependent upon!

Question, what is or Who is the Holy Spirit?

Acts 5: Vs. 3. But Peter said Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? Vs. 4. While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!

Question Who is the Holy Spirit?

See I John 5: 7. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: The Father, The Word, and The Holy Spirit; and these three are One Or Equal.

So then, with the time we have left, let’s begin to consider the primary way we can be an affective witness for the LORD, and that is we should be both a verbal, and nonverbal witness for the LORD!

But what does that mean, what does that look like?

Listen, a verbal witness for God are those opportunities that God arrangers, then He will empower us to share, or minister, or communicate the Gospel message about Jesus Christ to a world that needs to know who He really is, and what He has really done to make a difference in anyone who would believe In Him.

In addition, we are to be, a nonverbal witness for God which is based upon our lifestyle, or our conduct, and our Biblical moral behavior. For all of that is a witness of a transforming life at work on the inside of us, that is also changing the outside of us as well!

So then, let’s consider first being a nonverbal witness for God.

Listen, to be a nonverbal witness for God which is based upon our lifestyle, our conduct, and our Biblical moral behavior. For all of that is a witness of a transforming life at work on the inside of us, that is also changing the outside of us as well!

Notice Ephesians 5: Vs. 17. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Vs. 18. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

Now, one of the many powerful results of being filled with the Spirit, when among members within a church fellowship will be, Vs. 19. Says, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Vs. 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Vs. 21. Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Next, another powerful result of being filled with the Spirit that can enable wives to fulfill a God-designed role within their marriage. Vs. 22. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Vs. 23. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and Christ is the Savior of the body. Vs. 24. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Next, is another powerful result of being filled with the Spirit that can enable Husbands to fulfill a God-designed role within their marriage also. Vs. 25. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, Vs. 26. that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, Vs. 27. that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Vs. 28. So, husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Vs. 29. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. Vs. 30. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. Vs. 31. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Vs. 32. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Vs. 33. Nevertheless, let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Now in Ephesians 6: 1-3, Is another powerful result of being filled with the Spirit that can enable children of all ages to fulfill a God-designed role within their immediate family. Vs. 1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Vs. 2. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: Vs. 3. That it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.

•Next, another powerful result of being filled with the Spirit that can enable a parent, or parents to fulfill a God-designed role within their immediate family. Vs. 4. And you fathers, or parents, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

•Next, another powerful result of being filled with the Spirit that can enable employee to fulfill a God-designed role when on the job. Vs. 5. Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; Vs. 6. not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, Vs. 7. with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, Vs. 8. knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

•Lastly, another powerful result of being filled with the Spirit that can enable employers to fulfill a God-designed role when on the job. Vs. 9. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in Heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Let me read first, St. John 8: Vs. 31. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him, if you abide in My Word you are My disciples indeed. Vs. 32. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

With God’s help this afternoon, we want to come back to a topic that we have entitled, “You Shall Know The Truth, And The Truth Shall Set You Free!” Amen!

Now as we return to this particular topical series, I am hopeful that it will help us to better understand God’s will, plan, and purpose for our lives, for our families, for our culture, and for our society as a whole!

But also, that this particular topical series will help us to Biblically address some of the issues, the concerns, and the controversies that are a part of our world today.

For example, you might recall that back in February of 2018, we initiated an informative subject that dealt with the subject of ‘Forgiveness and Unforgiveness”!

And to our surprise we found out both personally and culturally that the subject of forgiveness especially, is not always acceptable for most.

Now this afternoon with God’s help we want to begin a new subject that we might find both personally and culturally challenging and controversial especially in our world today.

But we need to, with the love of God and with the truth of God’s Word, address Biblically this subject which we want to call, “God’s Divine Design, Or Man’s Redesign Of Heterosexual Marriage, Sexual Orientation, And Sexual Identity.”

Now notice Genesis 1: Vs. 26. Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Vs. 27. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.

Also See Genesis 2: Vs. 18. And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him. Vs. 21. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam. And he slept the Lord took one of his ribs or, took of his side, and then closed up the flesh in its place. Vs. 22. Then the rib or the side which the Lord God had taken from man, the Lord made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

Vs. 23. And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Vs. 24. Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Vs. 25. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

And lastly, see Matthew 19: Vs. 4. And Jesus answered and said to them, Have you not read that He (God) who made them at the beginning, made them male and female. Vs. 5. and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?

•Did you notice God’s divine design of heterosexual marriage that it is not to be transient, nor transitional? •Did you notice God’s divine design of a set sexual orientation that it is not to be transient, nor transitional?•Did you notice God’s divine design of a set sexual identity that it is not to be transient, nor transitional?

But something happened that caused the human family to go from order to disorder. From obedience to disobedience. From submission to rebellion.

Now see Genesis 3: Vs. 1. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent said to the woman, has God indeed said that you, shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Vs. 2. And the woman said to the serpent, we may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; Vs. 3. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, you shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die. Vs. 4. Then the serpent said to the woman, you will not surely die. “God is mistaken!” Vs. 5. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. “God is withholding from you all knowledge and complete autonomy.” Vs. 6. So, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food. That the tree was pleasant to the eyes. And it was a tree desirable to make one wise. So, Eve took of its fruit and ate. And she also gave to her husband with her and Adam ate. Vs. 7. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Quote Romans 5: Vs. 12. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through, or because of sin. And thus, death spread to all men, because all sinned. Vs. 19a. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners!

Once Again, something happened that caused the human family to go from order to disorder. From obedience to disobedience. From submission to rebellion.

In fact, you might recall that on June the 26th, 2015, and interestingly that this June, it will be four years since the United States Supreme Court Justices at that time, voted in favor of same- sex marriages which must be legalized in all 50 States.

And thus, redefining the definition of marriage in the United States, as not being for only a man and a woman, but now is recognized and legalized for those who are of the same gender who desire to be married.

But it didn’t stop there!

For it appears at The Public School System throughout America must now accommodate and re-educate the next generation to be more excepting, more open to the idea that heterosexual marriage, sexual orientation, and sexual identity is transient or transitional!

Show you what I mean.

Now, The California Family Council Reveals to us how The California Department of Education’s proposed changes to K-12 health curriculum.

“The California Department of Education is asking parents to review its proposed K-12 health curriculum framework, which seeks to radically transform the way public school students think about gender and sexuality. This written set of goals and objectives, revamped in light of the state’s new LGBT affirming sex education law (the Healthy Youth Act), will guide curriculum development over the next decade.

Yet, children of Christian and other conservative minded parents will find many of the new health lessons in conflict with the values taught at home

(Parents have until Friday, January 11 to submit their comments. See below for details) “Dispelling myths about gender expectations in kindergarten can lay the groundwork for acceptance, inclusiveness, and an anti-bullying environment in schools,” the proposed framework states. “Gender non-conformity and physical characteristics are often at the root of many forms of bullying.”

Chapter 3: Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Three. So, what are these myths about gender that even kindergarteners must unlearn? Not just the color, toy, and activity preferences the two sexes tend to be attracted to, but “stereotypes” that involve dress and body parts. The framework encourages teachers to read students books like, “My Princess Boy,” about a boy who likes pink dresses and to invite adults, who identify as transgender, to the class as guest speakers.

When it comes to health lessons about body organs, the framework tells teachers to dispel the myth that male and female reproductive organs are different.

The framework states: When providing instruction on sexual and reproductive organs, teachers can introduce the concept that gender does not always match the sexual and reproductive organs described. For example, teachers may share, “In the classroom, we may use the term ‘female reproductive organs’ but some people who identify as male have these organs. The actual anatomical name for organs is utilized.

Chapter 3: Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Three. While these new gender lessons start in kindergarten, they are reinforced in every grade. The entire proposed K-12 health curriculum framework, you can read here, consists of nine chapters with several appendixes. It includes 842 mentions of the words ‘sex’, ‘sexual’, and ‘sexuality’; 239 mention of ‘gender’, with “67” in the 4th -6th grade-framework alone; and two mentions of ‘abstinence’ in the entire 1,000-page health framework.

Although Christian parents would find many objections within this framework, listed below are some of the most objectionable sections.

The framework recommends a K-3 book on gender identity titled, “Who Are You?” Which introduces kids to the gender spectrum. According to the lesson plan for the book, kids get to work the three layers of “The Gender Wheel” and learn how grown-ups look at a baby’s body when they are born and make a guess. This is the sex assigned at birth: male or female. Sometimes people get this confused with gender. But gender is much more than the body you were born with.

Chapter 3: Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade Three. The framework introduces high school kids to the dangers of “spiritual abuse” listed among other types of abuse (emotional, sexual, physical) teens must avoid. Examples of religious abuse include, “Forcing others to adhere to rigid gender roles. Not allowing a partner to do things they enjoy.”

Chapter 6: Grades Nine Through Twelve. The framework tells middle school teachers to use gender neutral language for romantic relationships and to eliminate words that imply teens have only one sex partner at a time. “In order to be inclusive: the term “partner” should be used in place of or in addition to “boyfriend/girlfriend” or “husband/wife” to avoid assumptions about gender and sexual orientation. Some students may be non-monogamous and the term “partner(s)” may also be used to be more inclusive.

Chapter 5: Grades Seven and Eight. The framework introduces high school students to sexual terms such as polysexual, pansexual, and asexual.

Chapter 6: Grades Nine Through Twelve. The framework encouraged middle school teachers to invite abortion providers as class speakers. “Guest speakers from your local public health department sexual health clinic, or local nonprofit organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, may have well-informed sexual health educators and age-appropriate materials to support comprehensive sexual health education.”

Listen, I believe the Lord is calling you and me to be different, so we can make a difference!

I believe the Lord wants you and me to take a stand for what is right and what is true! Yet we should do it respectfully, compassionately, but without compromise.

So, notice Esther 4: Vs. 13. And Uncle Mordecai told them to answer his niece Esther. Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. Because you won’t! Vs. 14. For if you remain completely silent at this time, then you know what relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place. But you and your father's house will perish. Yet Esther, who knows whether you have come to the kingdom as Queen for such a time as this?

What Esther needed, what you and I need is a different mindset that will help us to be proactive and not just reactive.

For example, Romans 12: 2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Acts 5: 28. And the High Priest saying, did we not strictly command you not to teach in this Name? And now look you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us! Vs. 29. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: We ought to obey God rather than men!

Galatians 1: 10. For, do I now persuade, or seek the approval of men or God? Or, do I seek to please men? For if I still want to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Joshua 24: 15. Joshua is speaking, and if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve! Whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Back to Genesis 3:

Notice Genesis 3: Vs. 1. Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent said to the woman, has God indeed or truly said, stop there.

If you think about it, the bases of our argument or our objection to same-sex marriage, or transitional sexual orientation, or transitional sexual identity, or any subject comes from the Bible the Word of God and the Holy Spirit who gives truth, understanding and discernment.

So, what do you really believe about the Bible? And is the Bible really reliable? Is the Bible actually the Word of God from God?

And finally, does the Bible have the right, the authority to tell you and me how to live my life?

So next time, and before we go any farther with this new subject, lets address and resolve the issue about the Bible itself!